WordGarden.iobutt
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈʌt/
US
- /ˈbət/
Meanings
Noun
the buttocks
the small end left after a cigarette or cigar has been smoked
a person or thing made the target of jokes or criticism
More meaningsFewer meanings
the thick, blunt, or lower end of an object
Verb
(informal)to interrupt or intrude, especially in 'butt in'
to push or strike with the head or horns
Beyond the definition
The word "butt" has a surprisingly varied life! Most commonly, it refers to the rearmost part of your body—the part you sit on. It is an informal term, so in professional settings you may want to use "bottom" or "rear" instead. But "butt" isn't just about anatomy. It can describe the blunt or remaining end of an object, like a cigarette butt or the butt of a rifle. You might also hear that something is "butted up against" another thing, meaning it is pressed closely against it, like two houses sharing a wall. Finally, it is often used informally for emphasis, as in telling someone to "get their butt in gear" to get them moving.
"Butt" is a versatile word with multiple meanings, ranging from anatomical to descriptive and idiomatic. Its most frequent usage refers to the human posterior. While a staple of daily conversation, this meaning is informal and can be considered impolite or even offensive in formal contexts, so always consider your audience.
However, "butt" is much more than a body part. It frequently refers to the thick or blunt end of something. This is why we speak of "cigarette butts" or the "butt of a tool." In carpentry and construction, to "butt" something means to join two pieces end-to-end without overlapping, often creating a "butt joint." As a verb, it can also mean to strike or push with the head or horns, as a ram does when it butts a fence.
Furthermore, the word thrives in English idioms. To "butt in" means to interrupt a conversation rudely, while being the "butt of a joke" means you are the person being teased. It is also used as a colloquial intensifier to express urgency, such as "get your butt over here!"
Historically, the word traces back to Middle English and Germanic roots meaning "thick end" or "stub," which explains its use for both tools and the human body. Whether you are describing physical contact, an object's end, or a social interaction, "butt" is a surprisingly adaptable, if slightly cheeky, part of the English language.
Examples
- 1
Body part
I slipped on the ice and landed on my butt.
- Usage
butt is informal and common in casual speech, especially with children
- 2
Cigarette litter
Please put your cigarette butts in the bin, not on the ground.
- 3
Joke target
He was tired of being the butt of everyone's jokes.
- Phrasethe butt of a joke
the person people laugh at
- 4
Animal behavior
Two goats were butting each other near the fence.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Conversation interruption
She always butts in when other people are talking.
- Phrasebutt in
interrupt a conversation without being invited
- 6
Strong disagreement
My brother and I used to butt heads over almost everything.
- Phrasebutt heads
keep arguing or disagreeing strongly
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- buttnounverb
Forms
- buttspluralnounverb
- butting-ing formverbnoun
- buttedpast tenseverbnoun